Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2008-09: John Ramage scored 2 goals and added 8 assists for 10 points in 54 games for the USNTDP. He played for the gold medal-winning USA squad at the 2009 Under-18 World Junior Championships. Ramage was passed over in the 2009 NHL Draft. Son of former NHL defenseman Rob Ramage.

2009-10: Played his freshman season at the University of Wisconsin. In 41 games for the Badgers, Ramage scored 2 goals and added 10 assists for 12 points. He also picked up 51 penalty minutes on the season.

2010-11: Ramage had solid sophomore season for the University of Wisconsin, scoring one goal with 10 assists and a plus 7 rating while taking 59 PIMs in 37 NCAA games. He was played in all types of defensive situations this season by the Badgers’ coaching staff. Ramage was Team USA’s captain at the World Junior Championships, helping the team to win a bronze medal. He was not able to contribute offensively but still managed a plus two rating while providing dependable defense for the Americans throughout the tournament.

2011-12: Ramage served as a captain for the University of Wisconsin as a junior and skated in all 37 games for the Badgers. He finished the season minus-10 and was second on the Badgers with 62 penalty minutes. Offensively, he chipped in 3 goals with 7 assists. The Badgers finished an uncharacteristic tenth in the WCHA and suffered through just the third losing season since Head Coach Mike Eaves took over in 2002-03.

2012-13: Ramage returned to Wisconsin for his senior season; serving as a captain for the Badgers for the second year. In 42 games he scored 8 goals with 12 assists and was +15 with 65 penalty minutes. The Badgers defeated Colorado College, 3-2, in the WCHA Broadmoor Trophy championship game to earn an NCAA tournament berth after finishing in a three-way tie for third in the regular season. Wisconsin lost to Hockey East champion Massachusetts-Lowell, 6-1, in the NCAA Northeast Regional semifinals. Ramage signed a two-year entry-level contract with Calgary in April, 2013.

2013-14: Ramage skated in 50 games for Calgary AHL affiliate Abbotsford in his first pro season and was with the ECHL’s Alaska Aces during that team’s run to the Kelly Cup championship. Seeing limited ice time with the Heat, he had 1 assist and was +2 with 46 penalty minutes. Abbotsford finished second in the West Division before losing to Grand Rapids in a first round series but Ramage did not see any action in the playoffs. He scored his first professional goal and was +1 with 6 penalty minutes in six regular season games for Alaska. In 20 ECHL playoff games he scored 4 goals with 9 assists and was +10 with 20 penalty minutes.

Talent Analysis

John Ramage is a solid shutdown defender that can provide leadership and stability on and off the ice. As a captain for the Wisconsin Badgers, Ramage brought composure and a professional work ethic to the team. A well-rounded defender who played a quality shut down game with strong puck moving skills at the college level, he is in the process of adjusting to the demands of pro hockey.

Future

Ramage attended his second camp with Calgary before being assigned to new AHL affiliate Adirondack. Now in his second pro season, he has seen more consistent ice time at the AHL level and is contributing on both ends of the ice while displaying a physical edge to his game. Long-term Ramage faces a challenge to move up in what is a crowded defense picture for the Flames but his progress suggests he can be effective in a lower pairing role one day.

Photo: Calgary Flames prospect Micheal Ferland arrived as a playoff performer this season after years of paying dues in the organization (courtesy of David Hahn/Icon Sportswire)

With their first playoff appearance after just six years removed, the Calgary Flames continue to develop in the right direction with their current system of prospects, coaches and management in place. One bright spot this past season was Micheal Ferland, who was one of six players picked by Calgary in the 2010 NHL Entry draft. Ferland provided a physical presence during the first round of the playoffs, along with timely offensive contributions to help eliminate the Vancouver Canucks.

Along with Ferland, the Flames selected Max Reinhart, John Ramage, and Bill Arnold in the 2010 draft class, which is developing into a hard-working group of prospects that are starting to contribute and make an impact at the NHL level.